Rematch Looms
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
LINCOLN – A season ago, Morgan Macleod watched as close friend Kylie Eaton claimed the 2022 Rhode Island Women’s Amateur Championship. Eaton defeated Macleod, 4&2, en route to victory at Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club.
Not that she’s rooting against her friend, but Macleod is hoping for a different result this summer.
She took a step closer to her goal with a 5&4 win over Keeley Lockhart in the Round of 16 Wednesday at Kirkbrae Country Club. Macleod, of Wannamoisett Country Club, will face Eaton in the Round of 8 Thursday.
“It would mean a lot,” Macleod said of her possibility of winning the overall tournament. “I made it to the finals last year and lost to Kylie, but that helped me a lot because now I know how to get through the week and what to do.”
On Tuesday, Macleod shot an 18-over 90, while Eaton posted a 9-over 81. But Macleod was happy with her round Wednesday and believes it could carry over into her rematch against Eaton.
“I played better than (Tuesday),” Macleod said. “I was making a lot more putts and I definitely hit a lot more greens. I was a little nervous (Tuesday) but today I slowed myself down and I really focused a little bit more.”
Macleod admitted she plays Kirkbrae often and believes the course fits her game well, especially off the tee. Macleod, 19, of North Attleboro, is a rising sophomore at Merrimack College and continually works on her game and the overall process of competitive golf.
“I focus a lot on my putting – 5-, 10-, 15-footers,” she said. “I just hit them over, and over, and over again on the putting green. I try to hit 50 in a row and I’m not going to stop until I do.”
When asked if all that practice translates during a round, she said: “It gives me a lot of confidence, because when I’m on the course I think, ‘I made 50 in a row on the putting green, I can make this.’”
No matter the outcome of Thursday’s match against Eaton, it’s a good sign to see all the young women in the amateur division rooting for one another on and off the course. Well, more so off the course.
“We’re all best friends,” Macleod said. “We play outside of tournaments and hang out, so it’s definitely good. Even though I want to beat them, I’m still really good friends with them.”
All eyes will be watching the rematch Thursday at Kirkbrae.
SENIOR DIVISION
There were some interesting matches in the Senior Amateur Division Round of 16. Liz Legault, of Kirkbrae, defeated two-time Senior Amateur champion, Kibbe Reilly, of Wannamoisett, in 19 holes. Legault recently won the Kirkbrae Women’s Club Championship. Melissa Hem, of Point Judith, defeated Karen Recore, of Button Hole, 5&3. Despina Metakos, of Triggs, beat five-time Senior Amateur champion, Nancy Chaffee, of Rhode Island CC, 1-up. Laura Nesteriak, of Crestwood CC, defeated Robin Gershkoff, of Triggs, 5&4.
Felicia Revens, of Potowomut, defeated Wendy Ossman, of Ledgemont, 6&5. Deb Schmutzler, of Agawam Hunt, defeated Theresa Howarth, of Crestwood, 5&3. Angel Macleod, of Wannamoisett, defeated Norma Taylor, of Jamestown GC, 6&5.
NET DIVISION (President’s Bowl)
The Round of 8 for the President’s Bowl should come down to the wire. Fusako Seaver, of Button Hole, defeated Melodie Hebert, of Glocester, 5&4. Lynne Fandetti, of West Warwick, defeated Cheryl Jason, of Glocester, 5&4. Jill Albanese defeated Jennifer Calabro, of Kirkbrae, 3&2. Trish Labossiere, of Triggs, defeated Pamela Chin, of Crestwood, 3&2. Sharon Volpe, of Wannamoisett, defeated Tracy Higgins, of Triggs, 4&2. Jane Lippincott, of Wanumetonomy, defeated Leony Hartig, of Wanumetonomy, 4&2. Katy Berard, of Kirkbrae, defeated Jane Byrne, of Kirkbrae, 1-up. Lisa Corrigan, of Kirkbrae, defeated Rebecca Schiff, 4&2.